Gods become fiction when their cultural support base drains.

Evidence

Suddenly, in the 370s, offerings to traditional gods just stopped and their place was taken by other gods with a wider, universal reach. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 714 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Until recently, changes of religious culture have always proceeded in the following way: a certain form of religious life, originally fully adequate in its strengths and essential characteristics, gradually rigidifies in superficialties and narrow specialization. It is displaced by a newly rising form in which religious impulses can flow, dynamically and without impediment. In other words, a new religious form, a new series of beliefs took the place of an outmoded one. For a relatively large number of people today, the supernatural objects of religious belief have been radically excised; their religious impulse, however, has not thereby been eliminated. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 864 (#qualifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Local gods rapidly disappeared with the rise of universal faiths. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 714; Supernatural beliefs require cultural commitment to become religion, not just cognitive content.; Modern religiosity persists after its supernatural objects are excised — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 864 (+2 more)

Related

• Local gods rapidly disappeared with the rise of universal faiths. (similarity 0.87)
• Supernatural beliefs require cultural commitment to become religion, not just cognitive content. (similarity 0.78)
• Modern religiosity persists after its supernatural objects are excised (similarity 0.78)
• Cultural learning biases explain passionate commitment to some gods but not others (similarity 0.78)
• Religious belief stems from both intuitive cognition and cultural transmission mechanisms. (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Local gods rapidly disappeared with the rise of universal faiths. #corroborates (0.82) — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 714
• Supernatural beliefs require cultural commitment to become religion, not just cognitive content. #expands (0.80)
• Modern religiosity persists after its supernatural objects are excised #qualifies (0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 864